Chapter 65
Natalie’s eyes locked firmly on Julius. It seemed he had noticed her as well—seeing that her body bore no injuries, he looked visibly relieved. And then, the sharp sword he held in his hand…
—Crack!
With a loud sound, it collapsed. Perhaps it had been overused too many times. Observing this were not only Julius and Natalie.
“D-damn… you monster…! How dare you… how dare you…!”
“…!”
The Prime Minister, who had been blown away by the impact, got back on his feet, throwing a hateful glare at Julius. At his voice, Julius tensed—even without his sword—trying to restrain the Prime Minister, but the Prime Minister was faster.
He took out a box he had kept hidden and attempted to activate it.
At that very moment—
“Ugh…”
“Really… you’ve done it now.”
“E-Edward-sama!”
From behind Natalie, a strong gust of wind blew, and Edward seemed to have teleported instantly to the Prime Minister. Taking advantage of the element of surprise, he snatched the box from the Prime Minister’s hands.
“Thanks to you, Natalie, my recovery was fast… thank you.”
“No… if I could be of help…”
With the power of the stone gone and magic freely available again, Edward quickly restrained the Prime Minister and, together with Julius, handed him over to the “shadows” who had presumably arrived.
(Now… it’s finally over.)
Seeing this, Natalie felt the tension drain from her body.
“The royal capital… the country… is safe, isn’t it?”
“Yes, reports say it’s safe thanks to magic.”
“That’s… good…”
As Edward relayed this, Natalie’s body—sustained only by sheer will—was about to collapse to the ground, but before it could—
“My lady… you did well.”
“Ka…ka…”
She felt her body gently supported by strong arms. Perhaps due to overuse of magic causing anemia, her body refused to move as she wished. But noticing Julius beside her and looking at him—
(He’s in tatters…)
Compared to when she had seen him at the Sword Dance Festival, his clothes and face were worse, and he was injured in several places.
“You’ve overexerted your magic, so you’re showing fatigue… Rest well, and you’ll recover. I’m truly… relieved you weren’t hurt…”
“Ka…ka?”
Natalie was carefully set down on the ground… At the same time, Julius’ voice seemed weak. Her eyes barely stayed open, her body demanding rest, gradually dimming Natalie’s consciousness.
Then, it happened suddenly.
“Th-Thank… you…ugh…”
“Duke!? What’s wrong!?”
(Wait… what’s happening—…)
Edward’s panicked voice rang out. Simultaneously, nearby, there was a thud—someone had collapsed. Natalie wanted to check and help, but her body wouldn’t obey. She couldn’t move as she wished.
“Oi! Where’s the rescue team!? Hurry, send a messenger—”
Edward shouted orders.
“To think a runaway has started… I…”
(Runaway…? Wait, I need to… help… His Grace…)
Edward’s words reached her ears. Natalie sent instructions to her body to move, but her vision blurred more and more. She had so many things she wanted to do, yet her body wouldn’t listen.
(Ka…ka…)
—Snap.
Natalie closed her eyes, letting her consciousness drift away.
◆◇◆
—Click.
When Natalie opened her eyes again—
(Familiar… interior… my room.)
She saw the curtains and furniture she knew so well. Perhaps because she had slept deeply after fainting, her body felt remarkably light. When she tried raising one hand, she could clench and unclench it freely. While confirming this—
“O-ohoh, my ladyaaah!”
“Mi—na?”
“You’ve awakened…! We must quickly inform your husband and lady…!”
As she heard these voices, large footsteps and loud shouting of “Husband! Lady! My lady!” echoed. Moments later, her parents and Mina rushed over, tears streaming.
“Natalie! Thank goodness… thank goodness!”
“Really, truly… thank goodness…”
Seeing her parents’ expressions, she finally felt the reality of being home, and her awareness gradually became clearer.
“I… since then…”
Speaking the question aloud—
“Franz-sama came and examined you… It seems it was just a short-term magic depletion. He said that resting would cure it… really, it’s a relief!”
“Franz-sama…”
“Yes, oh my! I got so caught up in talking that I forgot— we should have a meal properly to speak clearly.”
“Mother—…”
“Hehe, you’ve been asleep for two full days. Your body and magic may have rested, but you must be hungry, right?”
With tears in her eyes, her mother ordered a servant, “Bring something gentle for the stomach!” Her father, overwhelmed by Natalie regaining consciousness, merely stood by the bed, quietly crying.
◆◇◆
After eating soft, simmered vegetable soup and taking a breath, Natalie turned to her parents. Hearing about the aftermath of the abduction incident—
“The former Prime Minister was captured by His Highness… and to ensure there is no escape, after hearing all the circumstances, the punishment was immediately carried out together with the Duchess’ mother.”
“I see…”
“No matter the circumstances… his actions deserved punishment.”
Her parents shared what they knew. Though there were lingering thoughts about the Prime Minister, his actions had greatly deviated from humanity. They also brought up her former stepmother.
“Ah, by the way… is His Grace… safe? He saved me at that time… I must thank him…”
“Th-The Duke…?”
“Well…”
The moment she mentioned Julius, her parents exchanged awkward glances and nodded.
(…Huh? Father? Mother?)
“Y-Yes… this has happened… I must also give my thanks, father.”
“You’re coming with me, father? And… His Grace?”
“Eh, ah… the Duke, well…”
Her father mumbled and then spoke quickly:
“Well, due to the former Prime Minister incident, the royal family seems to be treating him with comfort while he recovers at the castle.”
“Ah… I see.”
“Yes, indeed… since this incident was largely thanks to the Duke… he’s probably being treated with luxurious meals, entertainment, and relaxation…”
“Oh! I see!”
Though Natalie felt a slight unease, she thought it was best that Julius was being well cared for.
“Then, if I go to the royal castle… I can see His Grace…!”
“Eh, ah… y-yes…”
